Alex 'Chumpy' Pullen named Australian flag bearer for Winter Olympics

Updated
February 07, 2014 11:18:00

Ever since Australian snowboarder, Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin, crashed out of his last Olympic medal bid in Vancouver, he's been making up for lost time. After that massive disappointment four years ago he's gone on to be two time world champion. Now he's also been given one of the great honours for any athlete representing their country. Pullin is flag-bearer for the Australian Winter Olympics.

TONY EASTLEY: Ever since Australian snowboarder Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin crashed out of his last Olympic medal bid in Vancouver, he's been making up for lost time. After that massive disappointment four years ago he's gone on to be two time world champion.

Now he's also been given one of the great honours for any athlete representing their country. Pullin is flag-bearer for the Australian Winter Olympics.

ABC correspondent Matt Brown caught up with Alex Pullin in Sochi.

ALEX PULLIN: I just hope that everyone who's there and watching with us is going to have a really great time and experience what they should experience at the Olympic Games opening ceremony. It's a very fulfilling moment, something that should set up I think, in my opinion, the rest of the competitions ahead.

MATT BROWN: Yes, that's right. This is your second games. What does it feel like walking into that stadium?

ALEX PULLIN: Oh, I've tried to explain it that many times, it's really tricky. But yeah, I will say that it's just fantastic to be in an individual sport and yet feel so united with an Australian team all there together. That's something that's really special I think as a winter sports person from Australia, to come together with the whole team. You know, and especially this time everyone's so strong and, yeah, we've got more people than ever and more, you know, I'd say medal opportunities but even top 10 opportunities which need to be appreciated too.

MATT BROWN: And you've said you don't get to see each other a lot of the time being in individual sports and the sports being the way they are, so it must be a bit of a good buzz to be with all your teammates here?

ALEX PULLIN: Yeah, exactly. And I think that's really important. You know, as far as each of us getting everything ready, it's a great way to start, to just come together and go yeah, look, we're going in there, we're giving it a red hot go, good on you, you know, it's amazing you're here, it's amazing you're here, this is great. Yeah, let's go get stuck into it.

And you know that's already begun with competitors already doing their qualifying rounds.

MATT BROWN: Torah Bright doing very well?

ALEX PULLIN: Exactly, exactly. So you know, there is a lot to bounce off right there. Great momentum from other athletes. I'm really looking forward to cheering on those athletes, you know, post the opening ceremony in the earlier events and I really can't wait to strap on my board and get in there myself.

MATT BROWN: Actually Torah carried the flag in last time and she went on to win gold. Is that an omen you think might play for you?

ALEX PULLIN: Yeah, look hopefully. Who knows though? I mean I don't expect any favours there from anything that's in control, but it adds a real excitement. I'm very humbled by the opportunity to carry out the flag.

MATT BROWN: It's a long way for a lad from the top of a ski store in the Victorian Ranges.

ALEX PULLIN: Yeah definitely. You know and it's something I reflect on very often, keeping it real and, you know, remembering home, where home is down in Mansfield. And you know, that's very special to me. It's got a special place in my heart and I think that I'm still an Australian snowboarder travelling from home and, you know, spending my time on tour that I need for training and competitions, but always returning home.

So, you know, it's amazing to be here with so many other Aussies who play that same game. It sets us aside from the others, you know. Better or worse, we are Australian and we're here to give it our absolute all. And I think more so than ever it's exciting cause we've got some really good chances.